[Palliative intrabronchial laser treatment of malignant bronchial stenosis using the fiberbronchoscope].

During a period of 15 months we performed a laser therapy of bronchi stenosis due to malignant tumors in 28 patients. We used a Neodym-YAG-Laser (MBB-AT, Munich), guided through a fiberbronchoscope (Olympus BF-1 TR). 59% of total-stenoses and 83% of the partly occluded bronchi could be opened sufficiently.

[Continuous transcutaneous blood gas monitoring during fiberbronchoscopy].

In 28 patients PO2 and PCO2 were measured continuously during diagnostic fiberbronchoscopy by means of transcutaneous electrodes (PtcO2 and Ptc CO2 System TCM Radiometer Copenhagen). A mean decrease in PtcO2 of 31% (s +/- 16.5%) was found.

Early tumor and leukemia response to alkyllysophospholipids in a phase I study.

In a phase I study on the toxicity and toleration of alkyllysophospholipids, tumor and leukemia responses have been noted in the first treated patients. Six patients with solid malignomas of different histologic types and one patient with acute myeloid leukemia are evaluable so far. All of them suffered from metastatic or wide-spread disease, were refractory to adequate polychemotherapy or other treatment modalities, or have been found untreatable because of poor general condition.

[The mucoid impaction and the "mucous bronchogram" (author's transl)].

Intrabronchial retention of large plugs of inspissated mucous in cases of disturbed bronchial secretion and impaired clearing mechanism leads often to chronic inflammation and to formation of "proximal" bronchiectasis. Mucoid impaction may occur in many bronchial diseases and is radiologically characterized by the so-called "mucous bronchogram".

[Unilateral pulmonary artery aplasia with special reference to lung scintigraphy (author's transl)].

In a case of unilateral aplasia of one Arteria pulmonalis, i.e. proximal interruption, the diagnostic value of perfusion and ventilation scintigraphy is shown to be simple and non-invasive, exposing the patient to a lower radiation dose than other diagnostic screening methods.

Effect of isosorbide dinitrate on hemodynamics and respiration of patients with coronary artery disease and of patients with chronic cor pulmonale.

The influence of isosorbide dinitrate on hemodynamics and gas exchange was studied in 10 patients with coronary artery disease and 10 patients with chronic cor pulmonale. A significant decrease in total pulmonary vascular resistance was found in both groups. This effect seemed mainly to be due to improved conditions for the left ventricle in the patients with coronary heart disease, while it could be explained by vasodilatation of the precapillary pulmonary resistive vessels in the patients with cor pulmonale.